SPORTS PEOPLE

SPORTS PEOPLE; Boxing Precaution

Published: April 13, 1984

A California legislative committee has endorsed a bill that would require boxers to undergo neurological examinations at least once a year and force the state's promoters to bear the costs of the program. Under the measure, introduced by Assemblyman Art Agnos , a Democrat from San Francisco, a boxer who suffers a knockout or is stopped twice in a row or who fights 12 times within a year would have to undergo a further examination before fighting again.

Promoters in the state have objected to the proposal because they would have to pay the costs, which are estimated at more than $1,000 for each examination. ''I don't want to bankrupt the sport,'' said Mr. Agnos, who argued that the problem of serious head injuries justified the measure.